1
|
Ming L, Tang J, Qin F, Qin Y, Wang D, Huang L, Cao Y, Huang Z, Yin Y. Exosome secretion related gene signature predicts chemoresistance in patients with colorectal cancer. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 257:155313. [PMID: 38642509 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly heterogeneous malignancy, and patients often have different responses to treatment. In this study, the genetic characteristics related to exosome formation and secretion procedure were used to predict chemoresistance and guide the individualized treatment of patients. METHODS Firstly, seven microarray datasets in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and RNA-Seq dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to analysis the transcriptome profiles and associated characteristics of CRC patients. Then, a predictive model based on gene features linked to exosome formation and secretion was created and validated using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) machine learning. Finally, we evaluated the model using chemoresistant/chemosensitive cells and tissues by immunofluorescence (IF), western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry (IHC) experiments, and the predictive value of integrated model in the clinical validation cohort were performed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves analyses. RESULTS We established a risk score signature based on three genes related to exosome secretion in CRC. Better Overall Survival (OS) and greater chemosensitivity were seen in the low-risk group, whereas the high-risk group exhibited chemoresistance and a subpar response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Higher expression of the model genes EXOC2, EXOC3 and STX4 were observed in chemoresistant cells and specimens. The AUC of 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 0.804. Compared with that in the low-risk group, patients' DFS was found to be significantly worse in the high-risk group. CONCLUSIONS In summary, the gene signature related to exosome formation and secretion could reliably predict patients' chemosensitivity and ICB treatment response, which providing new independent biomarkers for the treatment of CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ming
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Junhui Tang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Feiyu Qin
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yan Qin
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China
| | - Duo Wang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Liuying Huang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yulin Cao
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Zhaohui Huang
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China
| | - Yuan Yin
- Wuxi Cancer Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214062, China; Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tariq M, Ikeya T, Togashi N, Fairall L, Kamei S, Mayooramurugan S, Abbott LR, Hasan A, Bueno-Alejo C, Sukegawa S, Romartinez-Alonso B, Muro Campillo MA, Hudson AJ, Ito Y, Schwabe JW, Dominguez C, Tanaka K. Structural insights into the complex of oncogenic KRas4B G12V and Rgl2, a RalA/B activator. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302080. [PMID: 37833074 PMCID: PMC10576006 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
About a quarter of total human cancers carry mutations in Ras isoforms. Accumulating evidence suggests that small GTPases, RalA, and RalB, and their activators, Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RalGEFs), play an essential role in oncogenic Ras-induced signalling. We studied the interaction between human KRas4B and the Ras association (RA) domain of Rgl2 (Rgl2RA), one of the RA-containing RalGEFs. We show that the G12V oncogenic KRas4B mutation changes the interaction kinetics with Rgl2RA The crystal structure of the KRas4BG12V: Rgl2RA complex shows a 2:2 heterotetramer where the switch I and switch II regions of each KRasG12V interact with both Rgl2RA molecules. This structural arrangement is highly similar to the HRasE31K:RALGDSRA crystal structure and is distinct from the well-characterised Ras:Raf complex. Interestingly, the G12V mutation was found at the dimer interface of KRas4BG12V with its partner. Our study reveals a potentially distinct mode of Ras:effector complex formation by RalGEFs and offers a possible mechanistic explanation for how the oncogenic KRas4BG12V hyperactivates the RalA/B pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mishal Tariq
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Teppei Ikeya
- https://ror.org/00ws30h19 Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Togashi
- https://ror.org/00ws30h19 Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Louise Fairall
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Shun Kamei
- https://ror.org/00ws30h19 Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Sannojah Mayooramurugan
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Lauren R Abbott
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Anab Hasan
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Carlos Bueno-Alejo
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sakura Sukegawa
- https://ror.org/00ws30h19 Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Beatriz Romartinez-Alonso
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Miguel Angel Muro Campillo
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Andrew J Hudson
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Yutaka Ito
- https://ror.org/00ws30h19 Department of Chemistry, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
| | - John Wr Schwabe
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Cyril Dominguez
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Leicester Institute of Structure and Chemical Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Kayoko Tanaka
- https://ror.org/04h699437 Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Landgraf A, Yeh IJ, Ghozayel MK, Bum-Erdene K, Gonzalez-Gutierrez G, Meroueh SO. Exploring Covalent Bond Formation at Tyr-82 for Inhibition of Ral GTPase Activation. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202300272. [PMID: 37269475 PMCID: PMC10529880 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ral RAS GTPases are directly activated by KRAS through a trimeric complex with a guanine exchange factor. Ral is considered undruggable and lacks an accessible cysteine for covalent drug development. Previously we had reported an aryl sulfonyl fluoride fragment that formed a covalent bond at Tyr-82 on Ral and created a deep and well-defined pocket. Here, we explore this pocket further through design and synthesis of several fragment derivatives. The fragment core is modified by introducing tetrahydronaphthalene or benzodioxane rings to enhance affinity and stability of the sulfonyl fluoride reactive group. The deep pocket in the Switch II region is also explored by modifying the aromatic ring of the fragment that is ensconced into the pocket. Compounds 19 (SOF-658) and 26 (SOF-648) formed a single robust adduct specifically at Tyr-82, inhibited Ral GTPase exchange in buffer and in mammalian cells, and blocked invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer cells. Compound 19 (SOF-658) was stable in buffer, mouse, and human microsomes suggesting that further optimization could lead to small molecules to probe Ral activity in tumor models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Landgraf
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - I-Ju Yeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mona K. Ghozayel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Khuchtumur Bum-Erdene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | | | - Samy O. Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen Z, Chen M, Fu Y, Zhang J. The KRAS signaling pathway's impact on the characteristics of pancreatic cancer cells. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154603. [PMID: 37356222 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is classified as a cancer with high metastasis so that its mortality rate is high and most of the patients could not survive longer than 5 years. RAS signaling participate in cellular processes, so it has a key role in PDAC.RAS activation is associated via three different signaling pathway including somatic oncogenic point mutations in KRAS, upstream signaling like EGFR, oncogenic activation of the downstream B-RAF molecule. Several targeted therapies have been developed against kinase effectors particularly those in the MAPK and PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/mTOR signaling pathways and several inhibitors are undergoing clinical studies at the moment. However, because it is highly metastatic and frequently diagnosed at advanced disease stages, pancreatic cancer continues to be a challenging cancer to treat. This article will explore therapeutic approaches that focus on oncogenic KRAS signaling in pancreatic cancer and provide an updated synopsis of our knowledge of how mutant KRAS function in the illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ZhangXing Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Success Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
| | - Meiyan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Success Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China.
| | - Yuka Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Success Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Success Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361000, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Agrawal R, Natarajan KN. Oncogenic signaling pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 159:251-283. [PMID: 37268398 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common (∼90% cases) pancreatic neoplasm and one of the most lethal cancer among all malignances. PDAC harbor aberrant oncogenic signaling that may result from the multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations such as the mutation in driver genes (KRAS, CDKN2A, p53), genomic amplification of regulatory genes (MYC, IGF2BP2, ROIK3), deregulation of chromatin-modifying proteins (HDAC, WDR5) among others. A key event is the formation of Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN) that often results from the activating mutation in KRAS. Mutated KRAS can direct a variety of signaling pathways and modulate downstream targets including MYC, which play an important role in cancer progression. In this review, we discuss recent literature shedding light on the origins of PDAC from the perspective of major oncogenic signaling pathways. We highlight how MYC directly and indirectly, with cooperation with KRAS, affect epigenetic reprogramming and metastasis. Additionally, we summarize the recent findings from single cell genomic approaches that highlight heterogeneity in PDAC and tumor microenvironment, and provide molecular avenues for PDAC treatment in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Agrawal
- DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen S, Zhou S, Huang YE, Yuan M, Lei W, Chen J, Lin K, Jiang W. Estimating Metastatic Risk of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma at Single-Cell Resolution. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315020. [PMID: 36499343 PMCID: PMC9736800 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by intra-tumoral heterogeneity, and patients are always diagnosed after metastasis. Thus, finding out how to effectively estimate metastatic risk underlying PDAC is necessary. In this study, we proposed scMetR to evaluate the metastatic risk of tumor cells based on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. First, we identified diverse cell types, including tumor cells and other cell types. Next, we grouped tumor cells into three sub-populations according to scMetR score, including metastasis-featuring tumor cells (MFTC), transitional metastatic tumor cells (TransMTC), and conventional tumor cells (ConvTC). We identified metastatic signature genes (MSGs) through comparing MFTC and ConvTC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that up-regulated MSGs were enriched in multiple metastasis-associated pathways. We also found that patients with high expression of up-regulated MSGs had worse prognosis. Spatial mapping of MFTC showed that they are preferentially located in the cancer and duct epithelium region, which was enriched with the ductal cells' associated inflammation. Further, we inferred cell-cell interactions, and observed that interactions of the ADGRE5 signaling pathway, which is associated with metastasis, were increased in MFTC compared to other tumor sub-populations. Finally, we predicted 12 candidate drugs that had the potential to reverse expression of MSGs. Taken together, we have proposed scMetR to estimate metastatic risk in PDAC patients at single-cell resolution which might facilitate the dissection of tumor heterogeneity.
Collapse
|
7
|
NKp44-Derived Peptide Used in Combination Stimulates Antineoplastic Efficacy of Targeted Therapeutic Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214054. [PMID: 36430528 PMCID: PMC9692391 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment facilitate immune evasion that leads to failure of conventional chemotherapies, despite provisionally decided on the genetic diagnosis of patients in a clinical setup. The current study follows three lung cancer patients who underwent "personalized" chemotherapeutic intervention. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) were subjected to tumor microarray and treatment screening with chemotherapies, either individually or in combination with the peptide R11-NLS-pep8; this peptide targets both membrane-associated and nuclear PCNA. Ex vivo, employing PDX-derived explants, it was found that combination with R11-NLS-pep8 stimulated antineoplastic effect of chemotherapies that were, although predicted based on the patient's genetic mutation, inactive on their own. Furthermore, treatment in vivo of PDX-bearing mice showed an exactly similar trend in the result, corroborating the finding to be translated into clinical setup.
Collapse
|
8
|
Kumar S, Tripathi J, Maurya DK, Nuwad J, Gautam S. Anti-proliferative effect and underlying mechanism of ethoxy-substituted phylloquinone (vitamin K1 derivative) from Spinacia oleracea leaf and enhancement of its extractability using radiation technology. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:265. [PMID: 36091087 PMCID: PMC9452621 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03264-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
In our previous studies, a novel antimutagenic compound, 2-ethoxy-3-(3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-ethyl) naphthaquinone-1,4-dione (ethoxy-substituted phylloquinone; ESP) from spinach was characterized and mechanism contributing to its antimutagenicity was deduced. In the current study, anti-proliferative activity of ESP was assessed in lung cancer (A549) cells using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], clonogenic assays and cell cycle analysis. ESP treatment showed selective cytotoxicity against lung cancer cells and no cytotoxicity in normal lung (WI38) cells. Cell cycle analysis revealed that ESP treatment arrests A549 cell population in G2-M phase. In-silico analysis indicated positive drug-likeness features of ESP. Molecular docking showed H-bonding and hydrophobic interactions between ESP and B-DNA dodecamer residues at minor groove. SWATH-MS (Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Mass Spectra) based proteomic analysis indicated down-regulation of proteins involved in EGFR signaling, NEDDylation and other metabolic pathways and up-regulation of tumor suppressor (STAT1 and NDRG1) proteins. Treatment of spinach powder with gamma radiation (5-20 kGy) from cobalt (Co-60) enhanced the extractability of ESP up to 4.4-fold at the highest dose of 20 kGy. Scanning electron microscopy of spinach powder displayed decrease in smoothness and compactness with increase in radiation dose attributing to its enhanced extractability. Increase in the extractability of ESP with increasing radiation doses as measured by fluorescence intensity and dry weight basis was strongly correlated. Nonetheless, radiation treatment did not affect the functionality of ESP in terms of anti-proliferative and antimutagenic activities. Current findings thus highlight broad spectrum bioactivity of ESP from spinach, its underlying mechanism and applicability of radiation technology in enhancing extractability. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03264-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Kumar
- Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085 India
| | - Jyoti Tripathi
- Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085 India
| | - Dharmendra K. Maurya
- Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085 India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400 094 India
| | - Jitendra Nuwad
- Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085 India
| | - Satyendra Gautam
- Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085 India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400 094 India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tian L, Zhao L, Sze KM, Kam CS, Ming VS, Wang X, Zhang VX, Ho DW, Cheung T, Chan L, Ng IO. Dysregulation of RalA signaling through dual regulatory mechanisms exerts its oncogenic functions in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2022; 76:48-65. [PMID: 34767674 PMCID: PMC9299834 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Ras-like (Ral) small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases), RalA and RalB, are proto-oncogenes directly downstream of Ras and cycle between the active guanosine triphosphate-bound and inactive guanosine diphosphate-bound forms. RalGTPase-activating protein (RalGAP) complex exerts a negative regulation. Currently, the role of Ral up-regulation in cancers remains unclear. We aimed to examine the clinical significance, functional implications, and underlying mechanisms of RalA signaling in HCC. APPROACH AND RESULTS Our in-house and The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA sequencing data and quantitative PCR data revealed significant up-regulation of RalA in patients' HCCs. Up-regulation of RalA was associated with more aggressive tumor behavior and poorer prognosis. Consistently, knockdown of RalA in HCC cells attenuated cell proliferation and migration in vitro and tumorigenicity and metastasis in vivo. We found that RalA up-regulation was driven by copy number gain and uncovered that SP1 and ETS proto-oncogene 2 transcription factor cotranscriptionally drove RalA expression. On the other hand, RalGAPA2 knockdown increased the RalA activity and promoted intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis in vivo. Consistently, we observed significant RalGAPA2 down-regulation in patients' HCCs. Intriguingly, HCC tumors showing simultaneous down-regulation of RalGAPA2 and up-regulation of RalA displayed a significant association with more aggressive tumor behavior in terms of more frequent venous invasion, more advanced tumor stage, and poorer overall survival. Of note, Ral inhibition by a Ral-specific inhibitor RBC8 suppressed the oncogenic functions in a dose-dependent manner and sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib treatment, with an underlying enhanced inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide biological insight that dysregulation of RalA signaling through dual regulatory mechanisms supports its oncogenic functions in HCC. Targeting RalA may serve as a potential alternative therapeutic approach alone or in combination with currently available therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lu Tian
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Luqing Zhao
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,Present address:
Department of PathologyXiangya School of MedicineCentral South UniversityChangshaHunanChina
| | - Karen Man‐Fong Sze
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Charles Shing Kam
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Vanessa Sheung‐In Ming
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Xia Wang
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Vanilla Xin Zhang
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Daniel Wai‐Hung Ho
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Tan‐To Cheung
- State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,Department of SurgeryThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Lo‐Kong Chan
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| | - Irene Oi‐Lin Ng
- Department of PathologyThe University of Hong KongHong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver ResearchThe University of Hong KongHong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Roman M, Hwang E, Sweet-Cordero EA. Synthetic Vulnerabilities in the KRAS Pathway. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122837. [PMID: 35740503 PMCID: PMC9221492 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in Kristen Rat Sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) are among the most frequent gain-of-function genetic alterations in human cancer. Most KRAS-driven cancers depend on its sustained expression and signaling. Despite spectacular recent success in the development of inhibitors targeting specific KRAS alleles, the discovery and utilization of effective directed therapies for KRAS-mutant cancers remains a major unmet need. One potential approach is the identification of KRAS-specific synthetic lethal vulnerabilities. For example, while KRAS-driven oncogenesis requires the activation of a number of signaling pathways, it also triggers stress response pathways in cancer cells that could potentially be targeted for therapeutic benefit. This review will discuss how the latest advances in functional genomics and the development of more refined models have demonstrated the existence of molecular pathways that can be exploited to uncover synthetic lethal interactions with a promising future as potential clinical treatments in KRAS-mutant cancers.
Collapse
|
11
|
Ferguson S, Yang KS, Zelga P, Liss AS, Carlson JCT, del Castillo CF, Weissleder R. Single-EV analysis (sEVA) of mutated proteins allows detection of stage 1 pancreatic cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm3453. [PMID: 35452280 PMCID: PMC9032977 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm3453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are being explored as circulating biomarkers, but it is unclear whether bulk measurements will allow early cancer detection. We hypothesized that a single-EV analysis (sEVA) technique could potentially improve diagnostic accuracy. Using pancreatic cancer (PDAC), we analyzed the composition of putative cancer markers in 11 model lines. In parental PDAC cells positive for KRASmut and/or P53mut proteins, only ~40% of EVs were also positive. In a blinded study involving 16 patients with surgically proven stage 1 PDAC, KRASmut and P53mut protein was detectable at much lower levels, generally in <0.1% of vesicles. These vesicles were detectable by the new sEVA approach in 15 of the 16 patients. Using a modeling approach, we estimate that the current PDAC detection limit is at ~0.1-cm3 tumor volume, below clinical imaging capabilities. These findings establish the potential for sEVA for early cancer detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Ferguson
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Katherine S. Yang
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Piotr Zelga
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrew S. Liss
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan C. T. Carlson
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Carlos Fernandez del Castillo
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 32 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ralph Weissleder
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, CPZN 5206, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bum-Erdene K, Ghozayel MK, Xu D, Meroueh SO. Covalent Fragment Screening Identifies Rgl2 RalGEF Cysteine for Targeted Covalent Inhibition of Ral GTPase Activation. ChemMedChem 2022; 17:e202100750. [PMID: 35061330 PMCID: PMC9070689 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Ral GTPases belong to the RAS superfamily, and they are directly activated by K-RAS. The RalGEF pathway is one of the three major K-RAS signaling pathways. Ral GTPases do not possess a cysteine nucleophile to develop a covalent inhibitor following the strategy that led to a K-RAS G12C therapeutic agent. However, several cysteine amino acids exist on the surface of guanine exchange factors that activate Ral GTPases, such as Rgl2. Here, we screen a library of cysteine electrophile fragments to determine if covalent bond formation at one of the Rgl2 surface cysteines could inhibit Ral GTPase activation. We found several chloroacetamide and acrylamide fragments that inhibited Ral GTPase exchange by Rgl2. Site-directed mutagenesis showed that covalent bond formation at Cys-284, but not other cysteines, leads to inhibition of Ral activation by Rgl2. Follow-up time- and concentration-dependent studies of derivatives identified by substructure search of commercial libraries further confirmed Cys-284 as the reaction site and identified the indoline fragments as the most promising series for further development. Cys-284 is located outside of the Ral ⋅ Rgl2 interface on a loop that has several residues that come in direct contact with Ral GTPases. Our allosteric covalent fragment inhibitors provide a starting point for the development of small-molecule covalent inhibitors to probe Ral GTPases in animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khuchtumur Bum-Erdene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS4021, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Mona K Ghozayel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS4021, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - David Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS4021, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Samy O Meroueh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS4021, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zhang J, Tian Y, Mo S, Fu X. Overexpressing PLOD Family Genes Predict Poor Prognosis in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Gen Med 2022; 15:3077-3096. [PMID: 35330878 PMCID: PMC8938171 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s341332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic cancer is a common malignant tumor. Multiple studies have shown that procollagen lysyl-hydroxylase (PLOD) family genes were closely related to tumor progression and metastasis in a variety of human cancers. This study aimed to explore the prognosis and biological role of PLOD family genes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD). Methods GEPIA, GEO, HPA, CCLE, Kaplan-Meier plotter, cBioPortal, LinkedOmics, DAVID6.8, STRING, and TIMER were employed to determine the prognostic values and biological function of PLOD family members in PAAD. Results The mRNA and protein expression patterns of PLOD family members were noticeably up-regulated in PAAD compared with normal tissues. PLOD family gene expression was also up-regulated in pancreatic cancer cell lines. PLOD1 was correlated with histological and pathological grades of pancreatic cancer. PLOD2 was related to histological grade. The high expression of PLOD1-2 was correlated with the poor overall survival rate and relapse-free survival rate in patients with PAAD. Additionally, PLODs showed high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing pancreatic cancer from normal tissues. Through the functional enrichment analysis of PLOD-related genes in PAAD, we found that PLODs were enriched in collagen fiber tissue structure, lysine degradation, and collagen biosynthesis. Pathway analysis confirmed that PLODs regulated the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer through the RalGEF-Ral signaling pathway. Furthermore, the level of expression of PLOD1-2 was positively correlated with the activity of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including CD8+T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The level of expression of PLOD3 was inversely correlated with the level of infiltration of CD8+T cells. PLOD1 and PLOD2 were highly expressed in pancreatic cancer tissues with TP53 and KRAS mutations, respectively. However, the level of expression of PLOD3 in SMAD4 wild-type pancreatic cancer was increased. Conclusion The findings showed that individual PLOD genes or PLOD family genes could be potential prognostic biomarkers for PAAD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, People’s Republic of China
- The Fifth People’s Hospital of Datong, Datong, Shanxi Province, 037006, People’s Republic of China
| | - YanZhang Tian
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, People’s Republic of China
| | - ShaoJian Mo
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiFeng Fu
- Department of Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
In this review, I provide a brief history of the discovery of RAS and the GAPs and GEFs that regulate its activity from a personal perspective. Much of this history has been driven by technological breakthroughs that occurred concurrently, such as molecular cloning, cDNA expression to analyze RAS proteins and their structures, and application of PCR to detect mutations. I discuss the RAS superfamily and RAS proteins as therapeutic targets, including recent advances in developing RAS inhibitors. I also describe the role of the RAS Initiative at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in advancing development of RAS inhibitors and providing new insights into signaling complexes and interaction of RAS proteins with the plasma membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Frank McCormick
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rajpurohit T, Bhattacharya S. Moving Towards Dawn: KRas Signaling and Treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2022; 15:904-928. [PMID: 35088684 DOI: 10.2174/1874467215666220128161647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
"Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)" is robust, nearly clueless, and all-around deadly among all tumors. Below 10 %, the general 5-year endurance period has remained adamantly unaltered in the last 30 years, regardless of enormous clinical and therapeutic endeavors. The yearly number of deaths is more than the number of recently analyzed cases. Not a classic one, but "Carbohydrate Antigen CA19- 9" remains the prevailing tool for diagnosis. MicroRNAs and non-invasive techniques are now incorporated for the effective prognosis of PDAC than just CA19-9. Mutated "Rat sarcoma virus Ras" conformation "V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog KRas" is 95 % accountable for PDAC, and its active (GTP-bound) formation activates signaling cascade comprising "Rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma Raf"/"Mitogen-activated protein kinase MEK"/ "Extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK" with "Phosphoinositide 3-kinase PI3K"/ "protein kinase B Akt"/ "mammalian target of rapamycin mTOR" pathways. KRas has acquired the label of 'undruggable' since the crosstalk in the nexus of pathways compensates for Raf and PI3K signaling cascade blocking. It is arduous to totally regulate KRascoordinated PDAC with traditional medicaments like "gemcitabine GEM" plus nabpaclitaxel/ FOLFIRINOX. For long-haul accomplishments aiming at KRas, future endeavors should be directed to combinatorial methodologies to adequately block KRas pathways at different standpoints. Currently they are contributing to healing PDAC. In this review article, we outline the function of KRas in carcinogenesis in PDAC, its signaling cascade, former techniques utilized in hindering Kras, current and future possibilities for targeting Kras.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tarun Rajpurohit
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| | - Sankha Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKM'S NMIMS Deemed-to-be University, Shirpur, Maharashtra 425405, India
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
D’Aloia A, Arrigoni E, Costa B, Berruti G, Martegani E, Sacco E, Ceriani M. RalGPS2 Interacts with Akt and PDK1 Promoting Tunneling Nanotubes Formation in Bladder Cancer and Kidney Cells Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246330. [PMID: 34944949 PMCID: PMC8699646 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell-to-cell communication in the tumor microenvironment is a crucial process to orchestrate the different components of the tumoral infrastructure. Among the mechanisms of cellular interplay in cancer cells, tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are dynamic connections that play an important role. The mechanism of the formation of TNTs among cells and the molecules involved in the process remain to be elucidated. In this study, we analyze several bladder cancer cell lines, representative of tumors at different stages and grades. We demonstrate that TNTs are formed only by mid or high-stage cell lines that show muscle-invasive properties and that they actively transport mitochondria and proteins. The formation of TNTs is triggered by stressful conditions and starts with the assembly of a specific multimolecular complex. In this study, we characterize some of the protein components of the TNTs complex, as they are potential novel molecular targets for future therapies aimed at counteracting tumor progression. Abstract RalGPS2 is a Ras-independent Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor for RalA GTPase that is involved in several cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization. Previously, we demonstrated that RalGPS2 also plays a role in the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) in bladder cancer 5637 cells. In particular, TNTs are a novel mechanism of cell–cell communication in the tumor microenvironment, playing a central role in cancer progression and metastasis formation. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in TNTs formation still need to be fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that mid and high-stage bladder cancer cell lines have functional TNTs, which can transfer mitochondria. Moreover, using confocal fluorescence time-lapse microscopy, we show in 5637 cells that TNTs mediate the trafficking of RalA protein and transmembrane MHC class III protein leukocyte-specific transcript 1 (LST1). Furthermore, we show that RalGPS2 is essential for nanotubes generation, and stress conditions boost its expression both in 5637 and HEK293 cell lines. Finally, we prove that RalGPS2 interacts with Akt and PDK1, in addition to LST1 and RalA, leading to the formation of a complex that promotes nanotubes formation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that in the tumor microenvironment, RalGPS2 orchestrates the assembly of multimolecular complexes that drive the formation of TNTs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia D’Aloia
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Edoardo Arrigoni
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Barbara Costa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Giovanna Berruti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Enzo Martegani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sacco
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- SYSBIO-ISBE-IT-Candidate National Node of Italy for ISBE, Research Infrastructure for Systems Biology Europe, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Ceriani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; (A.D.); (E.A.); (B.C.); (E.M.); (E.S.)
- Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0264483544
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
He Y, Liu S, Newburg DS. Musarin, a novel protein with tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity from Trametes versicolor, inhibits colorectal cancer stem cell growth. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112339. [PMID: 34656057 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the second deadly cancer in the world. Trametes versicolor is a traditional Chinese medicinal mushroom with a long history of being used to regulate immunity and prevent cancer. Trametes versicolor mushroom extract demonstrates strongly cell growth inhibitory activity on human colorectal tumor cells. In this study, we characterized a novel 12-kDa protein that named musarin, which was purified from Trametes versicolor mushroom extract and showed significant growth inhibition on multiple human colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro. The protein sequence of musarin was determined through enzyme digestion and MS/MS analysis. Furthermore, Musarin, in particular, strongly inhibits aggressive human colorectal cancer stem cell-like CD24+CD44+ HT29 proliferation in vitro and in a NOD/SCID murine xenograft model. Through whole transcription profile and gene enrichment analysis of musarin-treated CSCs-like cells, major signaling pathways and network modulated by musarin have been enriched, including the bioprocess of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, the EGFR-Ras signaling pathway and enzyme inhibitor activity. Musarin demonstrated tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity in vitro. Musarin strongly attenuated EGFR expression and down-regulated phosphorylation level, thereby slowing cancer cells proliferation. In addition, oral ingestion of musarin significantly inhibited CD24+CD44+ HT29 generated tumor development in SCID/NOD mice with less side effects in microgram doses. Targeting self-renewal aggressive stem-cell like cancer cell proliferation, with higher water solubility and lower cytotoxicity, musarin has shown strong potence to be developed as a promising novel therapeutic drug candidate against colorectal cancers, especially those that acquire chemo-resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- YingYing He
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China; School of Chemical Science & Technology, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, China
| | - Shubai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China.
| | - David S Newburg
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 130 Panzeca Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chamberlain SG, Gohlke A, Shafiq A, Squires IJ, Owen D, Mott HR. Calmodulin extracts the Ras family protein RalA from lipid bilayers by engagement with two membrane-targeting motifs. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2104219118. [PMID: 34480001 PMCID: PMC8433508 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2104219118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
RalA is a small GTPase and a member of the Ras family. This molecular switch is activated downstream of Ras and is widely implicated in tumor formation and growth. Previous work has shown that the ubiquitous Ca2+-sensor calmodulin (CaM) binds to small GTPases such as RalA and K-Ras4B, but a lack of structural information has obscured the functional consequences of these interactions. Here, we have investigated the binding of CaM to RalA and found that CaM interacts exclusively with the C terminus of RalA, which is lipidated with a prenyl group in vivo to aid membrane attachment. Biophysical and structural analyses show that the two RalA membrane-targeting motifs (the prenyl anchor and the polybasic motif) are engaged by distinct lobes of CaM and that CaM binding leads to removal of RalA from its membrane environment. The structure of this complex, along with a biophysical investigation into membrane removal, provides a framework with which to understand how CaM regulates the function of RalA and sheds light on the interaction of CaM with other small GTPases, including K-Ras4B.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel G Chamberlain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Gohlke
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | - Arooj Shafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Iolo J Squires
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom
| | - Darerca Owen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom;
| | - Helen R Mott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1GA, United Kingdom;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Expression of oncogenic HRAS in human Rh28 and RMS-YM rhabdomyosarcoma cells leads to oncogene-induced senescence. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16505. [PMID: 34389744 PMCID: PMC8363632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95355-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. The two predominant histologic variants of RMS, embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (eRMS and aRMS, respectively), carry very different prognoses. While eRMS is associated with an intermediate prognosis, the 5-year survival rate of aRMS is less than 30%. The RMS subtypes are also different at the molecular level-eRMS frequently has multiple genetic alterations, including mutations in RAS and TP53, whereas aRMS often has chromosomal translocations resulting in PAX3-FOXO1 or PAX7-FOXO1 fusions, but otherwise has a "quiet" genome. Interestingly, mutations in RAS are rarely found in aRMS. In this study, we explored the role of oncogenic RAS in aRMS. We found that while ectopic oncogenic HRAS expression was tolerated in the human RAS-driven eRMS cell line RD, it was detrimental to cell growth and proliferation in the human aRMS cell line Rh28. Growth inhibition was mediated by oncogene-induced senescence and associated with increased RB pathway activity and expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p16 and p21. Unexpectedly, the human eRMS cell line RMS-YM, a RAS wild-type eRMS cell line, also exhibited growth inhibition in response to oncogenic HRAS in a manner similar to aRMS Rh28 cells. This work suggests that oncogenic RAS is expressed in a context-dependent manner in RMS and may provide insight into the differential origins and therapeutic opportunities for RMS subtypes.
Collapse
|
20
|
Yoshimachi S, Shirakawa R, Cao M, Trinh DA, Gao P, Sakata N, Miyazaki K, Goto K, Miura T, Ariake K, Maeda S, Masuda K, Ishida M, Ohtsuka H, Unno M, Horiuchi H. Ral GTPase-activating protein regulates the malignancy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3064-3073. [PMID: 34009715 PMCID: PMC8353909 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The small GTPases RalA and RalB are members of the Ras family and activated downstream of Ras. Ral proteins are found in GTP-bound active and GDP-bound inactive forms. The activation process is executed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, while inactivation is mediated by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). RalGAPs are complexes that consist of a catalytic α1 or α2 subunit together with a common β subunit. Several reports implicate the importance of Ral in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, there are few reports on the relationship between levels of RalGAP expression and malignancy in PDAC. We generated RalGAPβ-deficient PDAC cells by CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to investigate how increased Ral activity affects malignant phenotypes of PDAC cells. RalGAPβ-deficient PDAC cells exhibited several-fold higher Ral activity relative to control cells. They had a high migratory and invasive capacity. The RalGAPβ-deficient cells grew more rapidly than control cells when injected subcutaneously into nude mice. When injected into the spleen, the RalGAPβ-deficient cells formed larger splenic tumors with more liver metastases, and unlike controls, they disseminated into the abdominal cavity. These results indicate that RalGAPβ deficiency in PDAC cells contributes to high activities of RalA and RalB, leading to enhanced cell migration and invasion in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Yoshimachi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Ryutaro Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Mingxin Cao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Duc Anh Trinh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Pan Gao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of General and Emergency DentistryWest China Hospital of StomatologySichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Natsumi Sakata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Kento Miyazaki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Kota Goto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| | - Takayuki Miura
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Kyohei Ariake
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Shimpei Maeda
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Kunihiro Masuda
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Masaharu Ishida
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Hideo Ohtsuka
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Michiaki Unno
- Department of SurgeryTohoku University Graduate School of MedicineSendaiJapan
| | - Hisanori Horiuchi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyInstitute of Development, Aging and CancerTohoku UniversitySendaiJapan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Hinoi T. Cancer Genomic Profiling in Colorectal Cancer: Current Challenges in Subtyping Colorectal Cancers Based on Somatic and Germline Variants. J Anus Rectum Colon 2021; 5:213-228. [PMID: 34395933 PMCID: PMC8321592 DOI: 10.23922/jarc.2021-009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease caused by the accumulation of multistep genetic alterations under the influence of genomic instability. Different backgrounds of genomic instability, such as chromosomal instability, microsatellite instability, hypermutated-single nucleotide variants, and genome stable-induced transformation in the colonic epithelium, can result in adenomas, adenocarcinomas, and metastatic tumors. Characterization of molecular subtypes and establishment of treatment policies based on each subtype will lead to better treatment outcomes and an improved selection of molecularly targeted agents. In Japan, cancer precision medicine has been introduced in the National Health Insurance program through the addition of the cancer genomic profiling (CGP) examination. It has also become possible to access a large amount of genomic information, including information on pathogenic somatic and germline variants, incomparable to conventional diagnostic tests. This information enables us to apply research data to clinical decision-making, benefiting patients and their healthy family members. In this article, we discuss the important molecules and signaling pathways presumed to be the driver genes of CRC progression and the signal transduction system in which they are involved. Molecular subtypes of CRC based on CGP examinations and gene expression profiles have been established in The Cancer Genome Atlas Network with the advent of next-generation sequencing technology. We will also discuss the recommended management of secondary/germline findings, pathogenic germline variants, and presumed germline pathogenic variants obtained from CGP examination and review the current challenges to better understand these data in a new era of cancer genomic medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takao Hinoi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hussain SS, Tran TM, Ware TB, Luse MA, Prevost CT, Ferguson AN, Kashatus JA, Hsu KL, Kashatus DF. RalA and PLD1 promote lipid droplet growth in response to nutrient withdrawal. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109451. [PMID: 34320341 PMCID: PMC8344381 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid droplets (LDs) are dynamic organelles that undergo dynamic changes in response to changing cellular conditions. During nutrient depletion, LD numbers increase to protect cells against toxic fatty acids generated through autophagy and provide fuel for beta-oxidation. However, the precise mechanisms through which these changes are regulated have remained unclear. Here, we show that the small GTPase RalA acts downstream of autophagy to directly facilitate LD growth during nutrient depletion. Mechanistically, RalA performs this function through phospholipase D1 (PLD1), an enzyme that converts phosphatidylcholine (PC) to phosphatidic acid (PA) and that is recruited to lysosomes during nutrient stress in a RalA-dependent fashion. RalA inhibition prevents recruitment of the LD-associated protein perilipin 3, which is required for LD growth. Our data support a model in which RalA recruits PLD1 to lysosomes during nutrient deprivation to promote the localized production of PA and the recruitment of perilipin 3 to expanding LDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed S Hussain
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Tuyet-Minh Tran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Timothy B Ware
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Melissa A Luse
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Christopher T Prevost
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ashley N Ferguson
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Jennifer A Kashatus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Ku-Lung Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - David F Kashatus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Han B, He XH, Liu YQ, He G, Peng C, Li JL. Asymmetric organocatalysis: an enabling technology for medicinal chemistry. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:1522-1586. [PMID: 33496291 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00196a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The efficacy and synthetic versatility of asymmetric organocatalysis have contributed enormously to the field of organic synthesis since the early 2000s. As asymmetric organocatalytic methods mature, they have extended beyond the academia and undergone scale-up for the production of chiral drugs, natural products, and enantiomerically enriched bioactive molecules. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of asymmetric organocatalysis in medicinal chemistry. A general picture of asymmetric organocatalytic strategies in medicinal chemistry is firstly presented, and the specific applications of these strategies in pharmaceutical synthesis are systematically described, with a focus on the preparation of antiviral, anticancer, neuroprotective, cardiovascular, antibacterial, and antiparasitic agents, as well as several miscellaneous bioactive agents. The review concludes with a discussion of the challenges, limitations and future prospects for organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of medicinally valuable compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Han
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Xiang-Hong He
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Yan-Qing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Gu He
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Centre, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Jun-Long Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China. and Antibiotics Research and Re-evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Lin R, Bao X, Wang H, Zhu S, Liu Z, Chen Q, Ai K, Shi B. TRPM2 promotes pancreatic cancer by PKC/MAPK pathway. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:585. [PMID: 34099637 PMCID: PMC8184946 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03856-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of pancreatic cancer (PA) is not fully understanded. In our last report, TRPM2 plays a promising role in pancreatic cancer. However, the mechanism of TRPM2 is still unknown in this dismal disease. This study was designed to investigate the role and mechanism of TRPM2 in pancreatic cancer. TRPM2 overexpressed and siRNA plasmid were created and transfected with pancreatic cancer cell line (BxPC-3) to construct the cell model. We employed CCK-8, Transwell, scratch wound, and nude mice tumor-bearing model to investigate the role of TRPM2 in pancreatic cancer. Besides, we collected the clinical data, tumor tissue sample (TT) and para-tumor sample (TP) from the pancreatic cancer patients treated in our hospital. We analyzed the mechanism of TRPM2 in pancreatic cancer by transcriptome analysis, western blot, and PCR. We blocked the downstream PKC/MEK pathway of TRPM2 to investigate the mechanism of TRPM2 in pancreatic cancer by CCK8, scratch wound healing, and transwell assays. Overexpressed TRPM2 could promote pancreatic cancer in proliferation, migration, and invasion ability in no matter the cell model or nude mice tumor-bearing model. TRPM2 level is highly negative correlated to the overall survival and progression-free survival time in PA patients, however, it is significantly increased in PA tissue as the tumor stage increases. The transcriptome analysis, GSEA analysis, western-blot, and PCR results indicate TRPM2 is highly correlated with PKC/MAPK pathways. The experiments of PKC/MEK inhibitors added to TRPM2 overexpressed BxPC-3 cell showed that significant inhibition of PA cells happened in CCK8, transwell, and wound-healing assay. TRPM2 may directly activate PKCα by calcium or indirectly activate PKCε and PKCδ by increased DAG in PA, which promote PA by downstream MAPK/MEK pathway activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Lin
- General Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xunxia Bao
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Hui Wang
- General Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Sibo Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Zhongyan Liu
- General Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Quanning Chen
- General Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Kaixing Ai
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Baomin Shi
- General Surgery Department, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liao S, He H, Zeng Y, Yang L, Liu Z, An Z, Zhang M. A nomogram for predicting metabolic steatohepatitis: The combination of NAMPT, RALGDS, GADD45B, FOSL2, RTP3, and RASD1. Open Med (Wars) 2021; 16:773-785. [PMID: 34041361 PMCID: PMC8130015 DOI: 10.1515/med-2021-0286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To identify differentially expressed and clinically significant mRNAs and construct a potential prediction model for metabolic steatohepatitis (MASH). Method We downloaded four microarray datasets, GSE89632, GSE24807, GSE63067, and GSE48452, from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were performed to screen significant genes. Finally, we constructed a nomogram of six hub genes in predicting MASH and assessed it through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis (DCA). In addition, qRT-PCR was used for relative quantitative detection of RNA in QSG-7011 cells to further verify the expression of the selected mRNA in fatty liver cells. Results Based on common DEGs and brown and yellow modules, seven hub genes were identified, which were NAMPT, PHLDA1, RALGDS, GADD45B, FOSL2, RTP3, and RASD1. After logistic regression analysis, six hub genes were used to establish the nomogram, which were NAMPT, RALGDS, GADD45B, FOSL2, RTP3, and RASD1. The area under the ROC of the nomogram was 0.897. The DCA showed that when the threshold probability of MASH was 0–0.8, the prediction model was valuable to GSE48452. In QSG-7011 fatty liver model cells, the relative expression levels of NAMPT, GADD45B, FOSL2, RTP3, RASD1 and RALGDS were lower than the control group. Conclusion We identified seven hub genes NAMPT, PHLDA1, RALGDS, GADD45B, FOSL2, RTP3, and RASD1. The nomogram showed good performance in the prediction of MASH and it had clinical utility in distinguishing MASH from simple steatosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shenling Liao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - He He
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuping Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lidan Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhi Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenmei An
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Han CW, Jeong MS, Jang SB. Understand KRAS and the Quest for Anti-Cancer Drugs. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040842. [PMID: 33917906 PMCID: PMC8068306 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The KRAS oncogene is mutated in approximately ~30% of human cancers, and the targeting of KRAS has long been highlighted in many studies. Nevertheless, attempts to target KRAS directly have been ineffective. This review provides an overview of the structure of KRAS and its characteristic signaling pathways. Additionally, we examine the problems associated with currently available KRAS inhibitors and discuss promising avenues for drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Woo Han
- Institute of Systems Biology, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea;
| | - Mi Suk Jeong
- Institute for Plastic Information and Energy Materials and Sustainable Utilization of Photovoltaic Energy Research Center, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
| | - Se Bok Jang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.S.J.); (S.B.J.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2523 (M.S.J. & S.B.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dodhiawala PB, Khurana N, Zhang D, Cheng Y, Li L, Wei Q, Seehra K, Jiang H, Grierson PM, Wang-Gillam A, Lim KH. TPL2 enforces RAS-induced inflammatory signaling and is activated by point mutations. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4771-4790. [PMID: 32573499 DOI: 10.1172/jci137660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-κB transcription factors, driven by the IRAK/IKK cascade, confer treatment resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a cancer characterized by near-universal KRAS mutation. Through reverse-phase protein array and RNA sequencing we discovered that IRAK4 also contributes substantially to MAPK activation in KRAS-mutant PDAC. IRAK4 ablation completely blocked RAS-induced transformation of human and murine cells. Mechanistically, expression of mutant KRAS stimulated an inflammatory, autocrine IL-1β signaling loop that activated IRAK4 and the MAPK pathway. Downstream of IRAK4, we uncovered TPL2 (also known as MAP3K8 or COT) as the essential kinase that propels both MAPK and NF-κB cascades. Inhibition of TPL2 blocked both MAPK and NF-κB signaling, and suppressed KRAS-mutant cell growth. To counter chemotherapy-induced genotoxic stress, PDAC cells upregulated TLR9, which activated prosurvival IRAK4/TPL2 signaling. Accordingly, a TPL2 inhibitor synergized with chemotherapy to curb PDAC growth in vivo. Finally, from TCGA we characterized 2 MAP3K8 point mutations that hyperactivate MAPK and NF-κB cascades by impeding TPL2 protein degradation. Cancer cell lines naturally harboring these MAP3K8 mutations are strikingly sensitive to TPL2 inhibition, underscoring the need to identify these potentially targetable mutations in patients. Overall, our study establishes TPL2 as a promising therapeutic target in RAS- and MAP3K8-mutant cancers and strongly prompts development of TPL2 inhibitors for preclinical and clinical studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paarth B Dodhiawala
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Namrata Khurana
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Daoxiang Zhang
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yi Cheng
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lin Li
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Qing Wei
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kuljeet Seehra
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hongmei Jiang
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Patrick M Grierson
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrea Wang-Gillam
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kian-Huat Lim
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, and.,Alvin J. Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Hurd CA, Brear P, Revell J, Ross S, Mott HR, Owen D. Affinity maturation of the RLIP76 Ral binding domain to inform the design of stapled peptides targeting the Ral GTPases. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100101. [PMID: 33214225 PMCID: PMC7949049 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ral GTPases have been implicated as critical drivers of cell growth and metastasis in numerous Ras-driven cancers. We have previously reported stapled peptides, based on the Ral effector RLIP76, that can disrupt Ral signaling. Stapled peptides are short peptides that are locked into their bioactive form using a synthetic brace. Here, using an affinity maturation of the RLIP76 Ral-binding domain, we identified several sequence substitutions that together improve binding to Ral proteins by more than 20-fold. Hits from the selection were rigorously analyzed to determine the contributions of individual residues and two 1.5 Å cocrystal structures of the tightest-binding mutants in complex with RalB revealed key interactions. Insights gained from this maturation were used to design second-generation stapled peptides based on RLIP76 that exhibited vastly improved selectivity for Ral GTPases when compared with the first-generation lead peptide. The binding of second-generation peptides to Ral proteins was quantified and the binding site of the lead peptide on RalB was determined by NMR. Stapled peptides successfully competed with multiple Ral-effector interactions in cellular lysates. Our findings demonstrate how manipulation of a native binding partner can assist in the rational design of stapled peptide inhibitors targeting a protein-protein interaction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Hurd
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul Brear
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jefferson Revell
- AstraZeneca, Sir Aaron Klug Building, Granta Park, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Ross
- Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Helen R Mott
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Darerca Owen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bebelman MP, Janssen E, Pegtel DM, Crudden C. The forces driving cancer extracellular vesicle secretion. Neoplasia 2020; 23:149-157. [PMID: 33321449 PMCID: PMC7744813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The discovery that cancer cells discharge vast quantities of extracellular vesicles (EVs), underscored the explosion of the EV field. A large body of evidence now supports their onco-functionality in an array of contexts; stromal crosstalk, immune evasion, metastatic site priming, and drug resistance - justifying therapeutic intervention. The current bottleneck is a lack of clear understanding of why and how EV biogenesis ramps up in cancer cells, and hence where exactly avenues for intervention may reside. We know that EVs also play an array of physiological roles, therefore effective anticancer inhibition requires a target distinct enough from physiology to achieve efficacy. Taking the perspective that EV upregulation may be a consequence of the tumor landscape, we examine classic mutational events and tumor characteristics for EV regulators. All the while, aiming to illuminate topics worth further research in therapeutic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maarten P Bebelman
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Division of Medicinal Chemistry, Amsterdam Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eline Janssen
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - D Michiel Pegtel
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Caitrin Crudden
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Apken LH, Oeckinghaus A. The RAL signaling network: Cancer and beyond. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 361:21-105. [PMID: 34074494 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The RAL proteins RALA and RALB belong to the superfamily of small RAS-like GTPases (guanosine triphosphatases). RAL GTPases function as molecular switches in cells by cycling through GDP- and GTP-bound states, a process which is regulated by several guanine exchange factors (GEFs) and two heterodimeric GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). Since their discovery in the 1980s, RALA and RALB have been established to exert isoform-specific functions in central cellular processes such as exocytosis, endocytosis, actin organization and gene expression. Consequently, it is not surprising that an increasing number of physiological functions are discovered to be controlled by RAL, including neuronal plasticity, immune response, and glucose and lipid homeostasis. The critical importance of RAL GTPases for oncogenic RAS-driven cellular transformation and tumorigenesis still attracts most research interest. Here, RAL proteins are key drivers of cell migration, metastasis, anchorage-independent proliferation, and survival. This chapter provides an overview of normal and pathological functions of RAL GTPases and summarizes the current knowledge on the involvement of RAL in human disease as well as current therapeutic targeting strategies. In particular, molecular mechanisms that specifically control RAL activity and RAL effector usage in different scenarios are outlined, putting a spotlight on the complexity of the RAL GTPase signaling network and the emerging theme of RAS-independent regulation and relevance of RAL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa H Apken
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Oeckinghaus
- Institute of Molecular Tumor Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Khawaja H, Campbell A, Roberts JZ, Javadi A, O'Reilly P, McArt D, Allen WL, Majkut J, Rehm M, Bardelli A, Di Nicolantonio F, Scott CJ, Kennedy R, Vitale N, Harrison T, Sansom OJ, Longley DB, Evergren E, Van Schaeybroeck S. RALB GTPase: a critical regulator of DR5 expression and TRAIL sensitivity in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:930. [PMID: 33122623 PMCID: PMC7596570 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03131-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS mutant (MT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is resistant to MEK1/2 inhibition and remains a difficult-to-treat group. Therefore, there is an unmet need for novel treatment options for RASMT mCRC. RALA and RALB GTPases function downstream of RAS and have been found to be key regulators of several cell functions implicated in KRAS-driven tumorigenesis. However, their role as regulators of the apoptotic machinery remains to be elucidated. Here, we found that inhibition of RALB expression, but not RALA, resulted in Caspase-8-dependent cell death in KRASMT CRC cells, which was not further increased following MEK1/2 inhibition. Proteomic analysis and mechanistic studies revealed that RALB depletion induced a marked upregulation of the pro-apoptotic cell surface TRAIL Death Receptor 5 (DR5) (also known as TRAIL-R2), primarily through modulating DR5 protein lysosomal degradation. Moreover, DR5 knockdown or knockout attenuated siRALB-induced apoptosis, confirming the role of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway as a regulator of siRALB-induced cell death. Importantly, TRAIL treatment resulted in the association of RALB with the death-inducing signalling complex (DISC) and targeting RALB using pharmacologic inhibition or RNAi approaches triggered a potent increase in TRAIL-induced cell death in KRASMT CRC cells. Significantly, high RALB mRNA levels were found in the poor prognostic Colorectal Cancer Intrinsic Subtypes (CRIS)-B CRC subgroup. Collectively, this study provides to our knowledge the first evidence for a role for RALB in apoptotic priming and suggests that RALB inhibition may be a promising strategy to improve response to TRAIL treatment in poor prognostic RASMT CRIS-B CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hajrah Khawaja
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Andrew Campbell
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
| | - Jamie Z Roberts
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Arman Javadi
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Paul O'Reilly
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Darragh McArt
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Wendy L Allen
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Joanna Majkut
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Markus Rehm
- Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, D-70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alberto Bardelli
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy
| | - Federica Di Nicolantonio
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy
| | - Christopher J Scott
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Richard Kennedy
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Nicolas Vitale
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Timothy Harrison
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Switchback Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Garscube Estate, Switchback Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK
| | - Daniel B Longley
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Emma Evergren
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Sandra Van Schaeybroeck
- Drug Resistance Group, Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
The meiosis-specific cohesin component stromal antigen 3 promotes cell migration and chemotherapeutic resistance in colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2020; 497:112-122. [PMID: 33039558 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome instability is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Stromal antigen (STAG) 3 is a core component of the meiosis-specific cohesin complex, which regulates sister chromatid cohesion. Although aberrantly activated genes encoding the cohesin complex have been identified in cancers, little is known about the role of STAG3 in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we evaluated the prognostic impact and role of STAG3 in CRC. Analysis of 172 CRC surgical specimens revealed that high STAG3 expression was associated with poor prognosis. STAG3 knockdown inhibited cell migration and increased drug sensitivity to oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride hydrate, and BRAF inhibitor in CRC cell lines. The enhanced drug sensitivity was also confirmed in a human organoid established from a CRC specimen. Moreover, suppression of STAG3 increased γH2AX foci. Particularly, in BRAF-mutant CRC cells, STAG3 silencing suppressed the expression of snail family transcriptional repressor 1 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase via upregulation of dual-specificity phosphatase 6. Our findings suggest that STAG3 is related to poor clinical outcomes and promotes metastasis and chemotherapeutic resistance in CRC. STAG3 may be a novel prognostic marker and potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Collapse
|
33
|
Seibold M, Stühmer T, Kremer N, Mottok A, Scholz CJ, Schlosser A, Leich E, Holzgrabe U, Brünnert D, Barrio S, Kortüm KM, Solimando AG, Chatterjee M, Einsele H, Rosenwald A, Bargou RC, Steinbrunn T. RAL GTPases mediate multiple myeloma cell survival and are activated independently of oncogenic RAS. Haematologica 2020; 105:2316-2326. [PMID: 33054056 PMCID: PMC7556628 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.223024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncogenic RAS provides crucial survival signaling for up to half of multiple myeloma cases, but has so far remained a clinically undruggable target. RAL is a member of the RAS superfamily of small GTPases and is considered to be a potential mediator of oncogenic RAS signaling. In primary multiple myeloma, we found RAL to be overexpressed in the vast majority of samples when compared with pre-malignant monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance or normal plasma cells. We analyzed the functional effects of RAL abrogation in myeloma cell lines and found that RAL is a critical mediator of survival. RNAi-mediated knockdown of RAL resulted in rapid induction of tumor cell death, an effect which was independent from signaling via mitogen-activated protein kinase, but appears to be partially dependent on Akt activity. Notably, RAL activation was not correlated with the presence of activating RAS mutations and remained unaffected by knockdown of oncogenic RAS. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis yielded distinct RNA expression signatures after knockdown of either RAS or RAL. Combining RAL depletion with clinically relevant anti-myeloma agents led to enhanced rates of cell death. Our data demonstrate that RAL promotes multiple myeloma cell survival independently of oncogenic RAS and, thus, this pathway represents a potential therapeutic target in its own right.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Seibold
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Stühmer
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Chair of Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nadine Kremer
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Chair of Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anja Mottok
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Schlosser
- Rudolf Virchow Center for Experimental Biomedicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ellen Leich
- Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Brünnert
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Chair of Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Santiago Barrio
- Hematology Department, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - K. Martin Kortüm
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Manik Chatterjee
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Chair of Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Einsele
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Ralf C. Bargou
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, Chair of Translational Oncology, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Steinbrunn
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Beel S, Kolloch L, Apken LH, Jürgens L, Bolle A, Sudhof N, Ghosh S, Wardelmann E, Meisterernst M, Steinestel K, Oeckinghaus A. κB-Ras and Ral GTPases regulate acinar to ductal metaplasia during pancreatic adenocarcinoma development and pancreatitis. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3409. [PMID: 32641778 PMCID: PMC7343838 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17226-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is associated with high mortality and therapy resistance. Here, we show that low expression of κB-Ras GTPases is frequently detected in PDAC and correlates with higher histologic grade. In a model of KRasG12D-driven PDAC, loss of κB-Ras accelerates tumour development and shortens median survival. κB-Ras deficiency promotes acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) during tumour initiation as well as tumour progression through intrinsic effects on proliferation and invasion. κB-Ras proteins are also required for acinar regeneration after pancreatitis, demonstrating a general role in control of plasticity. Molecularly, upregulation of Ral GTPase activity and Sox9 expression underlies the observed phenotypes, identifying a previously unrecognized function of Ral signalling in ADM. Our results provide evidence for a tumour suppressive role of κB-Ras proteins and highlight low κB-Ras levels and consequent loss of Ral control as risk factors, thus emphasizing the necessity for therapeutic options that allow interference with Ral-driven signalling. The molecular mechanisms of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) in the course of pancreatitis and cancer development are unclear. Here, the authors show that loss of κB-Ras and consequent Ral activation promotes tumour initiation and progression through persistent ADM and enhanced cell proliferation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Beel
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lina Kolloch
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lisa H Apken
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lara Jürgens
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andrea Bolle
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nadine Sudhof
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sankar Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eva Wardelmann
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Meisterernst
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Konrad Steinestel
- Gerhard-Domagk-Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.,Institute of Pathology and Molecular Pathology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrea Oeckinghaus
- Institute of Molecular Tumorbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University Münster, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Uegaki M, Kita Y, Shirakawa R, Teramoto Y, Kamiyama Y, Saito R, Yoshikawa T, Sakamoto H, Goto T, Akamatsu S, Yamasaki T, Inoue T, Suzuki A, Horiuchi H, Ogawa O, Kobayashi T. Downregulation of RalGTPase-activating protein promotes invasion of prostatic epithelial cells and progression from intraepithelial neoplasia to cancer during prostate carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2020; 40:1535-1544. [PMID: 31058283 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgz082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RalGTPase-activating protein (RalGAP) is an important negative regulator of small GTPases RalA/B that mediates various oncogenic signaling pathways in various cancers. Although the Ral pathway has been implicated in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression, the significance of RalGAP in PCa has been largely unknown. We examined RalGAPα2 expression using immunohistochemistry on two independent tissue microarray sets. Both datasets demonstrated that the expression of RalGAPα2 was significantly downregulated in PCa tissues compared to adjacent benign prostatic epithelia. Silencing of RalGAPα2 by short hairpin RNA enhanced migration and invasion abilities of benign and malignant prostate epithelial cell lines without affecting cell proliferation. Exogenous expression of wild-type RalGAP, but not the GTPase-activating protein activity-deficient mutant of RalGAP, suppressed migration and invasion of multiple PCa cell lines and was phenocopied by pharmacological inhibition of RalA/B. Loss of Ralgapa2 promoted local microscopic invasion of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia without affecting tumor growth in a Pten-deficient mouse model for prostate tumorigenesis. Our findings demonstrate the functional significance of RalGAP downregulation to promote invasion ability, which is a property necessary for prostate carcinogenesis. Thus, loss of RalGAP function has a distinct role in promoting progression from prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia to invasive adenocarcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Uegaki
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Kita
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryutaro Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Yuki Teramoto
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Kamiyama
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Saito
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yoshikawa
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Sakamoto
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takayuki Goto
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shusuke Akamatsu
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshinari Yamasaki
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Inoue
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akira Suzuki
- Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Hisanori Horiuchi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Osamu Ogawa
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takashi Kobayashi
- Department of Urology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Salaymeh Y, Farago M, Sebban S, Shalom B, Pikarsky E, Katzav S. Vav1 and mutant K-Ras synergize in the early development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in mice. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:e202000661. [PMID: 32277014 PMCID: PMC7156281 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To explore the contribution of Vav1, a hematopoietic signal transducer, to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, we generated transgenic mouse lines expressing, Vav1, K-RasG12D, or both K-RasG12D and Vav1 in pancreatic acinar cells. Co-expression of Vav1 and K-RasG12D synergistically enhanced acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM) formation, far exceeding the number of lesions developed in K-RasG12D mice. Mice expressing only Vav1 did not develop ADM. Moreover, the incidence of PDAC in K-RasG12D/Vav1 was significantly higher than in K-RasG12D mice. Discontinuing Vav1 expression in K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice elicited a marked regression of malignant lesions in the pancreas, demonstrating Vav1 is required for generation and maintenance of ADM. Rac1-GTP levels in the K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice pancreas clearly demonstrated an increase in Rac1 activity. Treatment of K-RasG12D and K-RasG12D/Vav1 mice with azathioprine, an immune-suppressor drug which inhibits Vav1's activity as a GDP/GTP exchange factor, dramatically reduced the number of malignant lesions. These results suggest that Vav1 plays a role in the development of PDAC when co-expressed with K-RasG12D via its activity as a GEF for Rac1GTPase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaser Salaymeh
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Marganit Farago
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shulamit Sebban
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Batel Shalom
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Pikarsky
- The Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer Research and Department of Pathology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shulamit Katzav
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Arpalahti L, Haglund C, Holmberg CI. Proteostasis Dysregulation in Pancreatic Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1233:101-115. [PMID: 32274754 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-38266-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The most common form of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), has a dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Radical surgical resection, in combination with adjuvant chemotherapy, provides the best option for long-term patient survival. However, only approximately 20% of patients are resectable at the time of diagnosis, due to locally advanced or metastatic disease. There is an urgent need for the identification of new, specific, and more sensitive biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction to improve the treatment options for pancreatic cancer patients. Dysregulation of proteostasis is linked to many pathophysiological conditions, including various types of cancer. In this review, we report on findings relating to the main cellular protein degradation systems, the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy, in pancreatic cancer. The expression of several components of the proteolytic network, including E3 ubiquitin-ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes, are dysregulated in PDAC, which accounts for approximately 90% of all pancreatic malignancies. In the future, a deeper understanding of the emerging role of proteostasis in pancreatic cancer has the potential to provide clinically relevant biomarkers and new strategies for combinatorial therapeutic options to better help treat the patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leena Arpalahti
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Caj Haglund
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Carina I Holmberg
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Wang P, Zhang W, Wang L, Liang W, Cai A, Gao Y, Chen L. RCC2 Interacts with Small GTPase RalA and Regulates Cell Proliferation and Motility in Gastric Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:3093-3103. [PMID: 32341655 PMCID: PMC7166089 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s228914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regulator of chromosome condensation 2 (RCC2), also known as TD-60, is associated with various human malignant cancers. RCC2 has been shown to exhibit guanine exchange factor (GEF) activity and contribute to early mitosis. However, the role and mechanism of RCC2 in gastric cancer remain unclear. Materials and Methods RCC2 expression in gastric cancer was studied using qPCR, Western blotting and immunochemistry staining of clinical specimens, and its roles in the cytobiology, mouse model and related molecular pathways were evaluated using gastric cell lines. Results RCC2 was frequently overexpressed in gastric cancer. RCC2 knockdown significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, which was further confirmed by the RCC2 overexpression results in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, RCC2 knockdown inhibited tumor progression in vivo. Further study revealed the interaction between RCC2 and RalA. The level of RalA-GTP was decreased in gastric cancer cells after RCC2 knockdown, while an increased phosphorylation level in MAPK/JNK was found. Furthermore, the changes in the level of RalA-GTP as well as cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were further confirmed using RBC8, a specific small-molecule inhibitor of the intracellular actions of Ral GTPases, in gastric cancer cells. Conclusion RCC2 plays an important role in gastric cancer. RCC2 knockdown inhibits cell growth, cell motility and tumor progression, which may act through RalA and affect the MAPK/JNK pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengpeng Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenquan Liang
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Aizhen Cai
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhe Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Chen
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People's Republic of China.,Department of General Surgery, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen R. Mott
- Department of Biochemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| | - Darerca Owen
- Department of Biochemistry University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Karasic TB, Chiorean EG, Sebti SM, O'Dwyer PJ. A Phase I Study of GGTI-2418 (Geranylgeranyl Transferase I Inhibitor) in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Target Oncol 2020; 14:613-618. [PMID: 31372813 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-019-00661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I) catalyzes geranylgeranylation, a modification required for the function of many oncogenic RAS-related proteins. GGTI-2418 is a peptidomimetic small molecule inhibitor of GGTase I. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to establish the maximum tolerated dose of GGTI-2418 in patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study conducted in two US centers (University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University) in adults with treatment-refractory advanced solid tumors. An accelerated dose-escalation schema was used across eight dose levels, from 120 to 2060 mg/m2, administered on days 1-5 of each 21-day cycle. RESULTS Fourteen patients were enrolled in the dose-escalation cohort. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and 2060 mg/m2 was determined to be the maximum tolerated dose. The only potential drug-related grade 3 or 4 toxicities were elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase in a single patient with concurrent malignant biliary obstruction. No objective responses were observed. Four of thirteen evaluable patients had stable disease for up to 6.7 months. The study was terminated prior to dose expansion based on a sponsor decision. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated a mean terminal half-life of 1.1 h. CONCLUSIONS GGTI2418 was safe and tolerable at all tested dose levels with some evidence of disease stability. Due to rapid elimination, dosing of GGTI2418 in this study may have been inadequate to achieve optimal inhibition of its target, GGTase I.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Said M Sebti
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Care and Research Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Small-molecule covalent bond formation at tyrosine creates a binding site and inhibits activation of Ral GTPases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:7131-7139. [PMID: 32179690 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1913654117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ral (Ras-like) GTPases are directly activated by oncogenic Ras GTPases. Mutant K-Ras (G12C) has enabled the development of covalent K-Ras inhibitors currently in clinical trials. However, Ral, and the overwhelming majority of mutant oncogenic K-Ras, are devoid of a druggable pocket and lack an accessible cysteine for the development of a covalent inhibitor. Here, we report that covalent bond formation by an aryl sulfonyl fluoride electrophile at a tyrosine residue (Tyr-82) inhibits guanine exchange factor Rgl2-mediated nucleotide exchange of Ral GTPase. A high-resolution 1.18-Å X-ray cocrystal structure shows that the compound binds to a well-defined binding site in RalA as a result of a switch II loop conformational change. The structure, along with additional high-resolution crystal structures of several analogs in complex with RalA, confirm the importance of key hydrogen bond anchors between compound sulfone oxygen atoms and Ral backbone nitrogen atoms. Our discovery of a pocket with features found on known druggable sites and covalent modification of a bystander tyrosine residue present in Ral and Ras GTPases provide a strategy that could lead to therapeutic agent targeting oncogenic Ras mutants that are devoid of a cysteine nucleophile.
Collapse
|
42
|
Proteome Profiling Uncovers an Autoimmune Response Signature That Reflects Ovarian Cancer Pathogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12020485. [PMID: 32092936 PMCID: PMC7072578 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12020485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Harnessing the immune response to tumor antigens in the form of autoantibodies, which occurs early during tumor development, has relevance to the detection of cancer at early stages. We conducted an initial screen of antigens associated with an autoantibody response in serous ovarian cancer using recombinant protein arrays. The top 25 recombinants that exhibited increased reactivity with cases compared to controls revealed TP53 and MYC, which are ovarian cancer driver genes, as major network nodes. A mass spectrometry based independent analysis of circulating immunoglobulin (Ig)-bound proteins in ovarian cancer and of ovarian cancer cell surface MHC-II bound peptides also revealed a TP53–MYC related network of antigens. Our findings support the occurrence of a humoral immune response to antigens linked to ovarian cancer driver genes that may have utility for early detection applications.
Collapse
|
43
|
Cholesterol and beyond - The role of the mevalonate pathway in cancer biology. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1873:188351. [PMID: 32007596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifaceted global disease. Transformation of a normal to a malignant cell takes several steps, including somatic mutations, epigenetic alterations, metabolic reprogramming and loss of cell growth control. Recently, the mevalonate pathway has emerged as a crucial regulator of tumor biology and a potential therapeutic target. This pathway controls cholesterol production and posttranslational modifications of Rho-GTPases, both of which are linked to several key steps of tumor progression. Inhibitors of the mevalonate pathway induce pleiotropic antitumor-effects in several human malignancies, identifying the pathway as an attractive candidate for novel therapies. In this review, we will provide an overview about the role and regulation of the mevalonate pathway in certain aspects of cancer initiation and progression and its potential for therapeutic intervention in oncology.
Collapse
|
44
|
Zhu Z, Xiao S, Hao H, Hou Q, Fu X. Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homologue (KRAS) Mutations in the Occurrence and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:2176-2186. [PMID: 31456520 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190828160804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor with a 5-year survival rate of less than 6%, and incidence increasing year by year globally. Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate, almost the same as the death rate. However, the available effective prevention and treatment measures for pancreatic cancer are still limited. The genome variation is one of the main reasons for the development of pancreatic cancer. In recent years, with the development of gene sequencing technology, in-depth research on pancreatic cancer gene mutation presents that a growing number of genetic mutations are confirmed to be in a close relationship with invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Among them, KRAS mutation is a special one. Therefore, it is particularly important to understand the mechanism of the KRAS mutation in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, and to explore the method of its transformation into clinical tumor molecular targeted treatment sites, to further improve the therapeutic effect on pancreatic cancer. Therefore, to better design chemical drugs, this review based on the biological functions of KRAS, summarized the types of KRAS mutations and their relationship with pancreatic cancer and included the downstream signaling pathway Raf-MEK-ERK, PI3K-AKT, RalGDS-Ral of KRAS and the current medicinal treatment methods for KRAS mutations. Moreover, drug screening and clinical treatment for KRAS mutated cell and animal models of pancreatic cancer are also reviewed along with the prospect of targeted medicinal chemistry therapy for precision treatment of pancreatic cancer in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Zhu
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100039 Beijing, China
| | - Saisong Xiao
- Department of Anesthesia, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700 Beijing, China
| | - Haojie Hao
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100039 Beijing, China
| | - Qian Hou
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100039 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaobing Fu
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 100039 Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gzil A, Zarębska I, Bursiewicz W, Antosik P, Grzanka D, Szylberg Ł. Markers of pancreatic cancer stem cells and their clinical and therapeutic implications. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:6629-6645. [PMID: 31486978 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-05058-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth most common cause of death among all cancers. Poor prognosis of PC may be caused by a prevalence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are a population of cancer cells showing stem cell-like characteristics. CSCs have the ability to self-renew and may initiate tumorigenesis. PC CSCs express markers such as CD133, CD24, CD44, DCLK1, CXCR4, ESA, Oct4 and ABCB1. There is a wide complexity of interaction and relationships between CSC markers in PC. These markers are negative prognostic factors and are connected with tumor recurrence and clinical progression. Additionally, PC CSCs are resistant to treatment with gemcitabine. Thus, most current therapies for PC are ineffective. Numerous studies have shown, that targeting of these proteins may increase both disease-free and overall survival in PC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Gzil
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Izabela Zarębska
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Wiktor Bursiewicz
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Paulina Antosik
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Dariusz Grzanka
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Łukasz Szylberg
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Sklodowskiej-Curie Str. 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Pathomorphology, Military Clinical Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Li Y, Sun D, Sun W, Yin D. Retracted: Ras-PI3K-AKT signaling promotes the occurrence and development of uveal melanoma by downregulating H3K56ac expression. J Cell Physiol 2019; 234:16032-16042. [PMID: 30770562 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.28261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uveal melanoma (UM) is an intraocular malignant tumor characterized by rapid progression and recurrence. The current conventional treatments are unsatisfactory. Histone acetylation at H3 lysine 56 (H3K56ac) has been reported to be a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. However, whether H3K56ac prevents the occurrence and development of UM remains uninvestigated. The study aimed to explore the regulatory effect of H3K56ac on Ras-PI3K-AKT induced UM cells proliferation and migration. METHODS The vectors of pEGFP-RasWT , pEGFP-K-Ras G12V/Y40C , and pEGFP-N1 were transfected into MP46 cells, and protein levels of phosphorylated AKT Ser473 and H3K56ac were examined using western blot analysis. The effect of H3K56ac on cell proliferation and migration were studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to determine the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) downstream genes. Further, the regulatory effects of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1), general control nonderepressible 5 (GCN5), and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) on Ras-PI3K-AKT affected H3K56ac expression were also investigated. RESULTS H3K56ac expression was specifically downregulated by Ras-PI3K-AKT activation pathway. H3K56ac inhibited the tumorigenic effect of Ras-PI3K-AKT on MP46 cells viability, colony formation, and migration, as well as participated in regulating the transcription of PI3K/AKT downstream genes. SIRT1 silence recovered H3K56ac expression, and reversed the tumorigenic effect of Ras-PI3K-AKT activation on MP46 cells. Downregulation of H3K56ac induced by Ras-PI3K-AKT activation was found to be associated with MDM2-mediated the degradation of GCN5. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that Ras-PI3K-AKT signaling promoted UM cells proliferation and migration via downregulation of H3K56ac expression, which might be related to MDM2-mediated the degradation of GCN5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dajun Sun
- Department of Vascular Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Weixuan Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dexin Yin
- Department of Vascular Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Gao P, Liu S, Yoshida R, Shi C, Yoshimachi S, Sakata N, Goto K, Kimura T, Shirakawa R, Nakayama H, Sakata J, Kawashiri S, Kato K, Wang X, Horiuchi H. Ral GTPase Activation by Downregulation of RalGAP Enhances Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression. J Dent Res 2019; 98:1011-1019. [PMID: 31329042 DOI: 10.1177/0022034519860828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ral small GTPases, consisting of RalA and RalB, are members of the Ras family. Their activity is upregulated by RalGEFs. Since several RalGEFs are downstream effectors of Ras, Ral is activated by the oncogenic mutant Ras. Ral is negatively regulated by RalGAP complexes that consist of a catalytic α1 or α2 subunit and its common partner β subunit and similarly regulate the activity of RalA as well as RalB in vitro. Ral plays an important role in the formation and progression of pancreatic and lung cancers. However, the involvement of Ral in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. In this study, we investigated OSCC by focusing on Ral. OSCC cell lines with high Ral activation exhibited higher motility. We showed that knockdown of RalGAPβ increased the activation level of RalA and promoted the migration and invasion of HSC-2 OSCC cells in vitro. In contrast, overexpression of wild-type RalGAPα2 in TSU OSCC cells attenuated the activation level of RalA and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of samples from patients with OSCC showed that RalGAPα2 was downregulated in oral cancer tissues as compared with normal epithelia. Among patients with OSCC, those with a lower expression of RalGAPα2 showed a worse overall survival rate. A comparison of DNA methylation and histone modifications of the RalGAPα2 gene in OSCC cell lines suggested that crosstalk among DNA methylation, histone H4Ac, and H3K27me2 was involved in the downregulation of RalGAPα2. Thus, activation of Ral GTPase by downregulation of RalGAP expression via a potential epigenetic mechanism may enhance OSCC progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P. Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of General and Emergency Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Oral Cancer Therapeutics, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - S. Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - R. Yoshida
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - C.Y. Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - S. Yoshimachi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - N. Sakata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - K. Goto
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - T. Kimura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- Current affiliation: Research Center for Molecular Genetics, Institute for Promotion of Medical Science Research, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Yamagata, Japan
| | - R. Shirakawa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - H. Nakayama
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - J. Sakata
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - S. Kawashiri
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Cancer Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - K. Kato
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Cancer Medicine, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - X.Y. Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Head and Neck Oncology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - H. Horiuchi
- Department of Oral Cancer Therapeutics, Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ommer A, Figlia G, Pereira JA, Datwyler AL, Gerber J, DeGeer J, Lalli G, Suter U. Ral GTPases in Schwann cells promote radial axonal sorting in the peripheral nervous system. J Cell Biol 2019; 218:2350-2369. [PMID: 31201267 PMCID: PMC6605813 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201811150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell–resident Ral GTPases foster radial sorting of axons in developing peripheral nerves and are involved in exocyst-dependent control of Schwann cell process extensions. Small GTPases of the Rho and Ras families are important regulators of Schwann cell biology. The Ras-like GTPases RalA and RalB act downstream of Ras in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. However, the physiological role of Ral proteins in Schwann cell development is unknown. Using transgenic mice with ablation of one or both Ral genes, we report that Ral GTPases are crucial for axonal radial sorting. While lack of only one Ral GTPase was dispensable for early peripheral nerve development, ablation of both RalA and RalB resulted in persistent radial sorting defects, associated with hallmarks of deficits in Schwann cell process formation and maintenance. In agreement, ex vivo–cultured Ral-deficient Schwann cells were impaired in process extension and the formation of lamellipodia. Our data indicate further that RalA contributes to Schwann cell process extensions through the exocyst complex, a known effector of Ral GTPases, consistent with an exocyst-mediated function of Ral GTPases in Schwann cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ommer
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Figlia
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jorge A Pereira
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Lena Datwyler
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joanne Gerber
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jonathan DeGeer
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giovanna Lalli
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ueli Suter
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Alvarado-Kristensson M, Rosselló CA. The Biology of the Nuclear Envelope and Its Implications in Cancer Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2586. [PMID: 31137762 PMCID: PMC6566445 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of the nuclear envelope and the subsequent compartmentalization of the genome is a defining feature of eukaryotes. Traditionally, the nuclear envelope was purely viewed as a physical barrier to preserve genetic material in eukaryotic cells. However, in the last few decades, it has been revealed to be a critical cellular component in controlling gene expression and has been implicated in several human diseases. In cancer, the relevance of the cell nucleus was first reported in the mid-1800s when an altered nuclear morphology was observed in tumor cells. This review aims to give a current and comprehensive view of the role of the nuclear envelope on cancer first by recapitulating the changes of the nuclear envelope during cell division, second, by reviewing the role of the nuclear envelope in cell cycle regulation, signaling, and the regulation of the genome, and finally, by addressing the nuclear envelope link to cell migration and metastasis and its use in cancer prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alvarado-Kristensson
- Molecular Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 20502 Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Catalina Ana Rosselló
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
- Lipopharma Therapeutics, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Fendiline Enhances the Cytotoxic Effects of Therapeutic Agents on PDAC Cells by Inhibiting Tumor-Promoting Signaling Events: A Potential Strategy to Combat PDAC. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20102423. [PMID: 31100813 PMCID: PMC6567171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20102423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The L-type calcium channel blocker fendiline has been shown to interfere with Ras-dependent signaling in K-Ras mutant cancer cells. Earlier studies from our lab had shown that treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with fendiline causes significant cytotoxicity and interferes with proliferation, survival, migration, invasion and anchorage independent growth. Currently there are no effective therapies to manage PDACs. As fendiline has been approved for treatment of patients with angina, we hypothesized that, if proven effective, combinatorial therapies using this agent would be easily translatable to clinic for testing in PDAC patients. Here we tested combinations of fendiline with gemcitabine, visudyne (a YAP1 inhibitor) or tivantinib (ARQ197, a c-Met inhibitor) for their effectiveness in overcoming growth and oncogenic characteristics of PDAC cells. The Hippo pathway component YAP1 has been shown to bypass K-Ras addiction, and allow tumor growth, in a Ras-null mouse model. Similarly, c-Met expression has been associated with poor prognosis and metastasis in PDAC patients. Our results presented here show that combinations of fendiline with these inhibitors show enhanced anti-tumor activity in Panc1, MiaPaCa2 and CD18/HPAF PDAC cells, as evident from the reduced viability, migration, anchorage-independent growth and self-renewal. Biochemical analysis shows that these agents interfere with various signaling cascades such as the activation of Akt and ERK, as well as the expression of c-Myc and CD44 that are altered in PDACs. These results imply that inclusion of fendiline may improve the efficacy of various chemotherapeutic agents that could potentially benefit PDAC patients.
Collapse
|